Shatrughan Kumar, Managing Director of JTAC Trans ACNR Solutions, speaks exclusively with Rajesh Rajgor at Prawaas 3.0 exhibition about the company’s technological advancements with the multi-utility air-conditioners. Along with information on facility growth, he also provides specifics on the ‘salubrious’ bus, an air purifier with an air quality display that focuses on safety and health
We have seen that the bus business is once again buzzing with excitement. Some bus segments, including school buses and staff transportation, have also seen significant growth in our first quarter. We surpassed every one of our previous marks for the first quarter. We manufactured about 1,200 AC units in July for the electric bus and school markets. The demand is slowly but surely returning, initially with staff transportation and school buses.
And now intercity travel is rising up. We anticipate that tourism will significantly improve by the year’s end. The electric bus’ speed kept us moving even throughout the pandemic period. Since we have already supplied around 1,200 electric buses that are in use in several Indian cities and are closely collaborating with all OEMs for electric buses, the growth that we had been anticipating before the year 2020 is already becoming apparent.
Product Portfolio
We have introduced two new products, the first of which is more lightweight and efficient and the second of which is for the small vehicle market. The first product is for standard 9-metre electric buses, and the second is a multi-utility product better suited for mobile clinics, ambulances and caravans. The fact that we have many alternatives for these products to be able to function on 12 volts, 24 volts, 48 volts, 72 volts and 230 volts can be used to measure the flexibility of operation.
When it is stationary or parked, customers have the option of running it on vehicle power or single-phase electricity. Usually, there are two different air-conditioners in OB vans or mobile homes, one that operates while in motion and the other that operates while the vehicle is stationary. We have combined both so that the same air-conditioner will work for both the scenarios. This is a unique proposition and a USP for the company.
Innovations
We introduced UV purifiers to India first. We refer to it as the ‘salubrious’ bus and are not just referring to UV. It is secure, healthful and UV-free. It combines photo-catalysis, UV and ionisation. As a result, the experience of a passenger on a lengthy voyage is completely altered. It aims to improve his travel experience in addition to shielding him from viruses. Any current bus can be modified to include this.
Through a display (air quality detecting system), an AQI index, a TVOC level, etc., customers can directly observe the quality of the air. The blower is installed inside the retainer grill, where it cannot be seen. Therefore, you don’t need to install a separate final blower because the air-conditioner’s blower draws air on its own. These AC qualities might be promoted by the operator to draw in additional clients.
Expanding Facilities
We are investing a lot of money on growth, capacity expansion and international outreach. Currently, we have one factory with a monthly production capacity of 1,000 units. A plant that we have set up in Bangalore will be active in a month and we have a starting capacity of about 500 units per month. In Rajasthan, a new factory is now being built which will be finished by December. In total, we will be able to produce 3,000 units per month, and in order to keep up with demand as well as for export, we are expanding into the Middle Eastern and African nations.
For electric vehicles we are collaborating closely with some European and Japanese manufacturers. As soon as we launch our railway air-conditioning, our existing site will transform into a centre exclusively for the development of new products for buses, trucks and trains. Overall, the situation is favourable and we have set ourselves up for innovation, the release of new products and the increase of capacity for exponential growth.